Another Year of Two Awards of Distinction for Betas

Representing more than 6,000 collegiate chapters and 250,000 fraternity members globally, each year the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) recognizes young men, advisors and chapters who exemplify leadership, service and fraternal values with the Awards of Distinction. Celebrating the success and interfraternal impact — individually within campus communities and collectively as the Fraternity’s chapters — emphasizes the value of Beta Theta Pi and the fraternity experience in shaping the lives of young men during their college years and beyond.

For the eighth time in nine years, Beta Theta Pi has been among the fraternities noted among the annual list. This year also marks the seventh time in the same stretch that Beta received two or more Awards of Distinction.

Martin Cobb, Eastern Kentucky ’96

Martin has over 25 years of Beta volunteer experience and has served in a variety of roles for three different Beta chapters. Most recently, he served as the house corporation president for the Epsilon Omicron Chapter at the University of Kentucky where he was instrumental in the construction of their chapter house. Under his guidance, the chapter has grown and thrived.

Martin has served the NIC, Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors and Fraternity Communications Association throughout his career. During nearly 30 years of devotion to the fraternal movement, he has created deep friendships and served as a role model for what lifelong service looks like.

The NIC to only named four alumni among over 6,000 fraternity chapters across North America to receive the Advisor of Distinction Award in 2025.

Alpha Beta Chapter at University of Iowa

The Chapter of Distinction Award recognizes exceptional fraternity collegiate chapters demonstrating excellence in operations, involvement in their campus community and a commitment to a positive fraternity experience. The Texas chapter is one of only five internationally to receive this award — among the 6,000 recognized by the NIC — and the 11th chapter of Beta Theta Pi to be recognized with an Award of Distinction since 2004.

The Alpha Beta Chapter has a well-rounded member experience. With a focus on recruitment and retention, it now averages 50-60 new members each year with an average attrition of just 10-27% in the past three years. Further, the chapter has maintained high levels of academic success, ranking number one over the last three semesters.

Its work in the area of chapter housing and adherence to accountability and a substance-free experience is one that should be celebrated. Iowa’s coordination with the General Fraternity House Corporation has been a true crucible moment for the chapter as the chapter home has become attractive to members in a way that has enhanced accountability and adherence to Beta’s Substance Free Housing Policy and set a new standard for fraternity at Iowa.

The brothers are highly engaged with the General Fraternity, some 72 have graduated from Beta’s leadership programs over the last three years including 10 from Wooden Institute in that span. Not to mention, the chapter received it’s second-ever Knox Award at the 186th General Convention in St. Louis, along with its 12th Sisson Award.